By Theresa J Morris and Gus Celestiall
What makes us human spans a vast journey from birth, beginning with our raw vulnerability and potential, and reaching toward a profound awakening to our deepest spiritual nature. From the moment of birth, as if molded from clay, we emerge with an intrinsic sense of self, a capacity for connection, and an urge to seek meaning—all threads in the vast tapestry of human experience.
Birth and the Beginnings of Awareness
At birth, we arrive with a soft consciousness—pure, receptive, and interwoven with potential. Our earliest experiences lay the foundations of our humanity. Instinctively, we seek warmth, touch, and comfort, establishing the beginnings of relationship and dependency. From a “clayborn” state, we start forming as individuals, yet the full awareness of self is still unshaped and open to impressions.
This phase reflects our purest desire for connection, love, and survival, fueling a natural curiosity and sense of wonder about the world that begins our journey of selfhood.
Growth, Curiosity, and the Formation of Identity
As we grow, so does our mind, and with it, the thirst for knowledge, connection, and self-expression. Language, emotion, and memory bring structure to our experiences, and we start asking, “Who am I?” Our personalities are shaped by a mix of genetic impulses, social influence, and personal choices. We begin exploring the boundaries of our own thoughts, desires, and actions, shaping a unique identity.
Through interactions with others, we learn empathy, compassion, and responsibility, which mark essential facets of our humanity. Curiosity and creativity flourish, fueling our passions and leading us toward fulfilling endeavors. The search for purpose and meaning often begins here, as well as the realization that we are both connected to others and yet distinct in our individual paths.
Self-Realization: The Inner Exploration
The next stage is self-realization—a point at which we start looking inward to understand our true nature beyond the external identities we’ve constructed. Here, the journey becomes one of internal exploration, seeking to know what lies beyond the ego’s desires and fears. This stage often brings self-awareness, a sense of inner peace, and a genuine passion for life. We begin to recognize that love, wisdom, and compassion lie at the heart of our human experience.
Many people reach this level through inner contemplation, meditation, or by living through experiences that demand profound introspection. Those who come close to death and return—near-death experiencers—often report profound shifts in their understanding of reality, love, and the interconnectedness of all beings. They describe a powerful realization that life is guided, and that consciousness continues beyond the physical. For these individuals, guides or spiritual presences are often experienced, leading them toward an enriched life purpose, deeper compassion, and a shift in values away from material concerns.
God-Realization: Transcending the Self
At this stage, the journey transforms from self-realization to God-realization, where the individual perceives their unity with all life. This is the realization of divinity within and around them—the understanding that every being and every atom is an expression of a divine essence. Here, one’s sense of self expands to include all of creation, leading to a profound reverence and unconditional love for all existence.
People at this level of consciousness often speak of a constant, unshakable joy, an alignment with universal truth, and the ability to live life with full passion and compassion. They embody the awareness that life is sacred and that each moment is an opportunity to express love, gratitude, and creative energy.
Living with Guides: Near-Death Experiencers and the Journey Beyond
For near-death experiencers, who often describe an encounter with guides or beings of light, life after their experience is forever changed. They frequently report being accompanied by a presence that offers insight, comfort, and purpose. These guides seem to act as reminders of the wisdom and love within each person, helping them navigate life with a sense of support and spiritual alignment.
Living with this awareness of guidance—whether it’s a near-death experiencer’s insight or the deep intuition accessible to all of us—reinforces the human experience as one of both personal and cosmic significance. It reminds us that while our humanity begins with our first breath, it is realized fully when we embrace our interconnectedness, wisdom, and compassion for all of life.
Full Potential and Passion for Life
When we reach this state of God-realization, we awaken to our full potential and passion for life. We recognize that our journey from birth to self and from self to divine awareness is a journey of unfolding potential, love, and creativity. With this awareness, we live not just for ourselves, but for all beings, and our lives become an expression of a greater cosmic dance.
To be human, then, is to be part of a magnificent journey—from a small, vulnerable being of clay-like potential to a fully realized, godly being of infinite love, guided by forces within and beyond. This journey is one of exploring, evolving, and expressing the depths of life itself.
